Photo by Albert Licano
Photo by Albert Licano
Interviews

Tim Leitch (Spit Stix): recalling 80s punk, FEAR, the Chili Peppers’ first demo, and more

5 mins read

Sitting down with drummer, producer, and song-writer Tim Leitch (better known to punk fans as Spit Stix) means diving head-first into a career that reads like a gritty, tattered history of underground music itself. From his early days behind the kit with FEAR—a cornerstone of LA’s hardcore punk scene—to producing the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ earliest demo, Leitch has seen a lot.

FEAR

He’s the guy who shared stages with John Belushi on Saturday Night Live in 1981, helped pioneer the chaos of slam-dancing on national television, and carved out his own space in a scene that thrives on disruption.

SPIT STIX by 13 Stitches Magazine.
SPIT STIX by 13 Stitches Magazine

Leitch has also spent time playing with Nasalrod, The Gyromatics, Lydia Lunch, Dick Dale, N.W. Sugar Shakers, and Rob Moss & Skin-Tight Skin, as well as his own solo bands SPIT and Sol-I. FEAR’s latest album and first with their current 2024 line-up, THE LAST TIME, is now available to stream digitally and pre-order in physical formats, via Atom Age Industries.

In this interview, we unpack the highs, the chaos, and the evolution of one of punk’s true lifers.

Let’s just get straight to the heavy-hitters, Spit: why did you initially part ways with FEAR in 1993 and what made you decide to re-join the band as recently as 2018?

In ’93, I needed a break from [frontman/guitarist] Lee [Ving]. He was paying [lead guitarist] Philo [Cramer] & I poorly and he did not appreciate what we brought.

FEAR

Philo left at the same time. In March of 2018, Philo & I got a call from Lee asking us to play a 40-year anniversary show.  Philo stayed for a few shows, but I have stayed on.

FEAR by @ilyamirman
FEAR by @ilyamirman

When you recorded and produced the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 1983-84 demos (that would later appear on both the deluxe edition of The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984) and Out In L.A. (1994),) did you have any idea or inkling that they would become the Stadium Arcadium powerhouse band they’ve now become?

I had no idea. I just dug what they were playing and had a cheap way to record them.

What can you tell us about FEAR’s relationship with the late great John Belushi: from him helping book the band on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on the Halloween 1981 show to recording “Neighbors” together for the 1981 film with Dan Aykroyd of the same name?

[Original FEAR bassist] Derf [Scratch] was giving bass lessons to one of John’s Second City brothers, Tino Insana. Derf gave Tino all of our phone numbers after John watched New Wave Theater segments of FEAR. John loved the mock punching and kicking of the host, Peter Iveres. Peter was a black belt in karate, but played along. John had to meet us and I was the first he got through to.

I spent some quality time with John producing the demo for the title song for the movie. That gave him something to present so that he could get the budget for a star-studded final version. I haven’t met Dan. I don’t think he was in Neighbors.

[Editor’s Note: Dan Aykroyd was, in fact, also in Neighbors!]

So, was it $10,000, $20,000, $200,000, or $400,000 worth of “damages” caused to the SNL/Studio 8H set in 1981?

It was less than $20,000. A cable got disconnected [and] pumpkin guts were all over the stage area. I never saw it, but, apparently, the green room for our “guests” got thrashed, too.

FEAR

They were butt-hurt that someone pulled one on them, which we were not trying to do. Just another gig with slam-dancing and chaotic serendipity. Most people at that time had not witnessed that, though.

How does it really feel to be within the elite class of bands/artists banned from SNL alongside Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Sinéad O’Connor, The Replacements, Rage Against The Machine, Cypress Hill, and David Bowie(!)?

It’s an honor, but I feel no difference before or after.

How would you say the More Beer (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Spit Stix 2020 Remix differs sonically from the version originally released in 1985?

I only had two hours to mix the first release of More Beer. I spent a couple of weeks on the new release.

What can you tell us about the origins of “Brainwash” which you wrote and sing lead throughout? It recently appeared as both the physical and digital B-side on FEAR’s single of your cover of Bob Seger’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.”

We talked a little about this earlier how I’m very disappointed in the release of that song.

Originally, Flea [from the Red Hot Chili Peppers] played bass and Lee sang. That recording was lost, so FEAR’s management wanted to re-record it. I sent a lifeless demo so Lee could re-learn it. It was not meant for release; I would have spent more than five minutes on singing it.

 

How did the band go about writing, recording, producing, creating, etc. your latest album for Atomic Age Industries/FEAR Records, THE LAST TIME?

Atom Age is Lee’s management. They booked studio time and I showed up.

So, this is the first album recorded with the latest interaction of FEAR (yourself, Lee Ving, Eric Razo, Amos Lee, and Frank Meyer,) correct? How else would you personally say this album differs from the last FEAR album, 2023’s For Right & Order, recorded with a slightly different line-up?

Frank Meyer came into the band and replaced Lee’s rhythm guitar. Plus, he brings a great energy with him. Lee hadn’t played for a while at live shows and the rhythm guitar was missed on guitar solos and harmonies.

What would you say was the most memorable gig you’ve ever played with FEAR thus far, why, and who else was on the night’s show bill?

The first show I played at [Mabuhay] Gardens in 1978.

FEAR

The Dead Kennedys had sold out the show, but backed out at the last-minute.  Now, the night had two bands instead of three. I think the first band was The Dogs. So, we “headlined” (technically) to a sold out house.

What was it like getting a chance to record with Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s Snakepit) and Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) on “Nice Guys (Don’t Play Rock & Roll)” from FEAR’s For Right & Order album?

I prefer to record a band playing all together, but Slash & Duff over-dubbed over my drums.

Did you and the guys from FEAR ever communicate with anyone from Black Velvet Flag and/or Go-Kart Records? I’m curious to hear what you thought about their 1995 covers of “I Don’t Care About You” and “I Love Livin’ In The City?”

Nope. Maybe, management, but not I.

Can you tell us a bit about the background behind the latest Nasalrod project, In The Modern Meatspace, a split album with Victims Family?

We had just written a few new songs and had toured with Victims Family recently and talked about touring again with a split 12-inch to sell. We recorded the finished five new songs and Victims Family did the same.

What is the current status of your two long-standing solo projects/bands, Sol-I and SPIT?

Sol-I may return and SPIT might appear in a movie or some one-time thing. I’m writing a new Latin Soul Jazz record right now as an antithesis to my more aggressive projects.

FEAR by @robertarce73
FEAR by @robertarce73

What’s planned next for FEAR?

[A] December 8th [show] in Florida [and] December 21st in LA.

FEAR

FEAR

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